Agriculture Technical Trainer

Agriculture Technical Trainer (ATT)

Location: Outside of Kathmandu
Work Hours: The ATT will be required to follow a six-day work week and work
during holidays. Working hours are not limited to 8:00 AM – 5:00
PM.
Reports to: Training Coordinator and Agriculture Program Manager

Position Summary:

Under the direction of Training Coordinator (TC) and Agriculture Program Manager (APM) the
Agriculture Technical Trainer (ATT) is responsible for designing, implementation and evaluation
of the technical component of the Pre-Service Training (PST) for a food security project. The
ATT coordinates/collaborates with APM in the implementation of core food security technical
sessions including the production technology of ginger, turmeric, mushroom, fruit-tree
cultivation, beekeeping and nutrition education. The ATT monitors effectiveness of training
and Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs) performance and writes periodic evaluative reports to the
Training Coordinator.
The ATT coordinates with (TM), Training Coordinator (TC), Agriculture Program Specialist
(APS) Resource Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), Language and Culture Facilitators (LCFs)
Senior LCF, PST Administrative Assistant and PCV Leaders (PCVLs). She/he ensures language
integration, cultural/cross-cultural understanding and learning into the technical component.
Under normal working conditions, the ATT will live at the training site for the duration of
contract period. The ATT delivers one-on-one and small group technical sessions to Peace
Corps Trainees (PCTs) and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in person.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: University Bachelor’s degree in a project-related subject (Agriculture, Health).
Language Proficiency: Professional oral and written English and Nepali proficiency.

Prior Work Experience:

• Minimum 1 year experience working alongside village community members on locally
  prioritized agriculture projects in Nepal.
•  Willing to live with a Nepali family at the Training site outside of Kathmandu for the
  duration of contract period.
•  Computer proficiency in MS Office: Windows, Excel, Word.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: University Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Food Security.

Prior Work Experience:

• Experience providing direct technical support on beekeeping and the cultivation of fruit
  trees, ginger, turmeric, and mushrooms in rural village settings in Nepal.
• Experience partnering with rural community members (especially groups of farmers,
  women, and youth) to identify, enhance, and mobilize their strengths to address
  community interests and priorities.
• Experience planning and implementing training sessions and other learning activities that
  embrace the Experiential Learning Cycle.
• Experience facilitating learning environments that promote collaborative, peer-supported
  learning.
• Experience partnering with individuals with marginalized social identities (caste, ethnicity,
  sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and so on) in Nepal.
•  Experience navigating language and culture in a rural village community setting in Nepal.
•  Experience in a cross-cultural setting with American or international organizations.
• Experience with organizations that achieve their mission through volunteerism.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, conflict
  management skills, diplomacy and tact with staff, Volunteers, Trainees, community
  members and members of the government. Is cross-culturally sensitive and strives to
  communicate openly.
• Motivation: Ability to work independently and proactively, is self-motivated and
  adaptable to constantly changing situations, and accepts responsibility.
• Professionalism: Maintains confidentiality regarding Volunteer issues and other
  information, and possesses a strong sense of integrity. Sets a positive example for peers
  and PCVs in performance of professional duties (is punctual, diligent, well-groomed, etc.).
  Acts as a team member in a consensus-building atmosphere, encourages constructive
  feedback and accepts suggestions for improvement, and willingly responds to reasonable
  requests from both colleagues and supervisors in a timely manner.
  You will receive credit for all qualifying experiences, including volunteer experience. To ensure full
  credit for your experience, please indicate dates of employment by month, day, and year and the
  number of hours worked per week in your resume.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

BEFORE PST (Preparation Phase):

1. Reads all relevant documents, e.g. project framework, previous PST reports, Peace
Corps policies and procedures, standards of conduct/behavior and criteria for
becoming a Volunteer.
2. Analyzes Volunteer Assignment Descriptions (VADs), Pre-Training Questionnaires
(PTQs), resumes and personal data about PCTs, and reviews previous training
evaluations to assess potential technical training needs of PCTs.
3. Follows principles of hands-on experiential learning in designing technical training and
uses the Peace Corps session design format throughout the PST.
4. Develops working relationships with Peace Corps, PST staffs and relevant Host Country
Agencies, I/NGO and community where training takes place.
5. Complete all the mandatory training in LearningSpace and in-person as per the agency
requirements.
6. Visits PST site and coordinates with relevant GoN officials, community people and
I/NGOs for technical training design and implementation and for the practicum.
7. Develops a budget in conjunction with the APM, Training Coordinator (TC), TM and/or
Admin Assistant that includes field trips, practicum, resource speakers, training
materials and other resources needed to implement the technical training program.
(Periodically during the PST).
8. Collaborates with APM and TC to design technical training sessions.
9. Participates in the Training of Trainers, develops session designs and co-facilitates
sessions at TOT.
10. If required, participates in discussion activities on the Volunteer competency model
and training alignment, periodic professional development activities, and provides
inputs based on teaching and learning experience.
11. Collaborates with the TC, resource PCVs, PCVL and LCFs to ensure the integration of
technical training into each segment of training including the Safety/security, Health
and wellness, Language, and Cross-Culture.
12. Collects training and other resource materials such as books, training manuals/session
designs and audio-visual resources from the Resource Center, Program Office, Training
office and from other sources (NGOs, INGOs, projects) to set up a technical library at
the PST.
13. Arranges land for model garden in each link site for hands on technical training.
14. Arranges and ensures at least 2-meter x 2-meter land at each PCTs’ host family for their
practice.

DURING PST:

1. Coordinates all technical training activities including designing and conducting training
sessions, arranging resource persons, and planning off-site activities such as field trips,
practical training, and practicum.
2. Conducts training sessions using a mix of in-person, online, live, and recorded sessions
and methods with online platforms that can include Zoom, Skype and LearningSpace.
For in-person sessions, take all health-safety mitigation measures prior to any session
or interaction, as specified by the agency guideline.
3. Works with TC, Senior LCFs and LCFs and ensures the integration of technical
components into language, cross-cultural, health and safety security contents.
4. Designs/updates and delivers technical training sessions following principles of handonand experiential learning as required in coordination with APM.
5. Supports APM to develop technical resources regarding food and nutrition security.
6. Monitors PCTs’ progress and makes recommendations on PCTs’ fulfillment of technical
objectives and remedial efforts necessary.
7. Visits PCTs’ home garden at least two times during training and gives appropriate and
ontime coaching, mentoring and feedback.
8. Participates fully in the assessment of the PCTs’ progress in fulfilling the technical
training objectives and in evaluating the appropriateness of behaviors and attitudes to
become a PCV.
9. Gives and receives appropriate feedback to PCTs and other trainers throughout the PST.
10. Coaches PCTs to solve issues and does not prescribe solution.
11. Writes periodic evaluation reports and submits them to TC and APM.
12. Develops assignments for PCTs to perform at their cluster site and follows up the
assignments.
13. Co-facilitates integrated field trips that are determined by the training program or
suggested by PCTs.
14. Reviews PCTs plans for community activities and practicum including goals,
objectives, activities, and budget and assists PCTs with session/activity planning when
needed.
15. Coordinates and handles logistics as needed for all technical training activities
involvingHCN agency officials, including making contacts and scheduling.
16. Builds teamwork among fellow training staff, PCTs and supports PC/Nepal staff,
resource PCVs and training team efforts and decisions.
17. Lives at the PST hub site and conducts training sessions/activities at the hub site and
insmall groups at the PST cluster sites.
18. Provides guidance and explanation of any work-related cross-cultural issues to PCTs.
19. Participates in meetings as a full member of the PST staff, supports and assists
theTraining Coordinator as requested.
20. Integrates ICDEIA (Intercultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Accessibility) into all training events and sessions whenever possible.
21. Demonstrates respect to diversity that PCTs and staff bring by being inclusive and
provide required support to all.

OCCASIONAL MONEY HANDLER:

The PSC may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who
furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training site, or other locations as directed by
the Contracting Officer. The PSC may also be required to courier cash to PC trainees or
volunteers. The PSC will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will
only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the
recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement
discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these
purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:

1. Is knowledgeable of the Peace Corps Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and in the event of
an emergency conducts his/her role in helping to ensure the safety of PCTs and Staff.
2. Assists the Agriculture Program Manager and Training Coordinator in developing,
assessing and redesigning competencies and training sessions as required.
3. Evaluates and reports Volunteer/Trainee acquisition of safety and security
competencies. Immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and
issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and Training Coordinator.
4. Supports the safety and security systems that are in-place for pre-service training,
including reinforcing Trainee roles and responsibilities related to personal safety and
security.
5. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and
procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.
6. Integrates into the community at the Training site, with a focus on developing positive
relationships with community members during PST.
7. Strictly follows Peace Corps Nepal infectious disease mitigation protocols and guidance
including physical distancing, PPE, usage of mask, accommodation, number of
participants present at any event, as specified by the agency guideline.
8. Regarding infectious disease safety, staff monitor their own symptoms, manage risks,
and ensure that those around them are also following the correct procedures.
9. The Contractor is required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated
for their position specified in a Peace Corps policy.

POST PST:

1. Submits a complete technical training manual to TC and APM, including all technical
training session design and handouts used in the PST along with names of all resource
persons and recommendations for their future involvement in PST. Follows Peace
Corps guidelines for manual format.
2. Submits PCT evaluations and thorough periodic reports in a timely manner.
Submits final technical training report, documenting all lessons and activities for use in
the future.
3. Returns all indispensable items, technical training materials and resources to the
PSTadmin, Training Coordinator/IRC Manager.
4. Recommends the TC and TM for improvements in technical and language training for
future PSTs and Language ISTs/Camps.

OTHERS:

1. As required and instructed by the Training Coordinator and/or APM.
2. In addition to the specific tasks outlined in this Statement of Work, the intermittent PSC
may support other related duties for Peace Corps/Nepal as assigned. These duties may
include but are not limited to supporting Volunteers during in-service training, providing
ad hoc site management support, and/or remote Volunteer learning.
3. Follows Peace Corps Policies and Guidelines for a Professional trainer/staff behavior.
HOW TO APPLY:

Carefully review the full advertisement and Statement of Work for the above listed positions
online at https://np.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/.

For your application to be marked as complete and considered for further review:

•  By email: Submit (1) your resume, (2) a brief cover letter in English, and (3) include the
  position to which you are applying for in the subject line to nepaljobs@peacecorps.gov.
• By mail or hand delivery: Provide (1) your resume, (2) a brief cover letter in English, and (3)
  include the position to which you are applying at the top of the cover letter and send to
  U.S. Peace Corps, P.O. Box 15150, Kathmandu, Nepal or hand deliver to our office in
  Maharajgunj. All applications must reach our office by the deadline as listed below:
•  July 3, 2024 for the Training Administrative Assistant, Training Site Secretary,
  and Training Driver
•  July 10, 2024 for all other advertised positions.
• All applicants: If you have ever served as a Peace Corps Trainee/Volunteer or a Peace Corps
  staff member please include the position location, position type, title, and starting and
  ending dates within your application.

Notes: Late applications will not be considered. Due to high volume, telephone inquiries will not
be entertained. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified for interviews.

Peace Corps/Nepal Diversity Statement:

Peace Corps Nepal is committed to embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into our core
business practices. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage
diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and
seek to achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal
and fair treatment regardless of their background and personal characteristics. These include:
(but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, caste, gender identity and
expression, religion, ethnicity, disabilities, political affiliation, marital, pregnancy, maternity, or
indigenous status.

Peace Corps/Nepal Safeguarding Statement:

We define safeguarding as the preventive action taken by Peace Corps Nepal to protect our
volunteers, staff, partners, and communities we work with from harm. We are committed to
ensuring that all children and adult who come into contact with Peace Corps are treated with
respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced
selection process and a rigorous due diligence process.